Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1887-02-05

visitor was a man who would be conspicu-
Gus in any crowd. A quick eye, long,
somewhat hooked nose, face somewhat
bronzed by exposure, and thin, attenu-
ated black mustache gave him the appear
ance of either frontiersman or veteran
circus manager. He watched the game
closely for some time, when his eye fell
upon the large silver buttons on Gonzales
coat. These seemed to hold his gaze, for,
without removing his scrutiny, he moved
his chair directly opposite the little Mex
ican. In few minutes smile overspread
his features, and he got up and went TO the
bar for drink. Wiping his mustache with
a big yellow bandana handkerchief, he
stepped behind the table and whispered
something in the Mexican's ear. The little
proprietor bowed graciously, saying loud
enough for those around him to hear, Isl,
senior, | play whatever game you like" J"
They both withdrew to small ante room
in the rear, which was lighted by large
glass skylight. The smile of Bowers did
not leave his face. Ii seemed to glow even
more radiantly when they sat down facing
each other, and when he took from his
pocket large buckskin purse filled with
gold it widened almost into laugh.
" Ef you've no objections, pardner," said
Bowers, with somewhat OF. dfawl in his
enunciation, well make it old sledge.
At that time " old sledge," known later as
"seven up, was a favorite American game,
and its popularity had penetrated even the
wild woods of the extreme West.
' Eet maker not de slight differans'to me
what a game eet is" replied the dapper
Gonzalo, as he took new pack of cards
from the hands of servant.
"All right, old boy, old sledge ii is, and
We'll make il for $50 n game sand Bowers
laid his black felt hat Cn the floor
The game commenced and at first Bow
ers lost. This, however did not disturb
his equanin.ity in the least. lie chewed al
the end of his cigar. as Was his habit ran
his hand through his long, black hair
played with a large seal ring that adorned
his left little finger, aud still smiled A
few iders drifted back to where they were
playing, but the two antagonists were sc
quiet that they lost interest and went back
to more enlivening games.
Bowers, after some time, began to win.
At first every second game; then two out
of every three. The Mexican sent for an
other pack of cards, as he said. to change
the luck' After Bowers had examined
them critically he accepted them as fail
and square pasteboards."
The flatboatman did not move one inch
III his chair. He seemed as rigid as il
carved of stone. Facing his opponent be
kept his eye fixed on the handsome green
jacket of the proprietor and the silver but
tons. They appeared to have some fasci
nation for the rough river man. GonZalo
sat listlessly in his seat, evidenclng but lit
tie interest in the game. His cards he
held low as his hand rested on the table
At o'clock in the afternoon Bowers was
81 800 ahead, and that Mexican had awak-
-ened to decided interest in the game. He
proposed 10 increase the bet to 800 Oh each
game which offer was promptly accepted
The other tables had become deserted now,
and there was a crowd gathered about the
two players. Side bets were offered on
each game by the spectators, and the ex-
citement was growing intense.
Bowers paid no attention to those around
him. He had come, he said. to get all
the honey out of The gum-tree, and he was
a-goin' to do it,
At $50 he had won $1,000, and at 4
o'clock, when he called for drink, he was
81 go in gold ahead
Gonzalo was somewhat pale, but there
was not tremOr in his hand. He ex-
planned that they had reached nearly the
limits of his pile, but would play two more
hands for $500 each. Bowers won both
The Mexican rose from the table auG
shook hands with his antagonist, and both
adjourned to take glass of wine together
Bowers received the admiring glances o
the crowd as he strolled leisurely out of the
saloon, still chewing the end of his cigar.
The game was the talk of the town for a
number of days, and Gonzalo was teased
considerably about it by his comrades. AL
this seemed as nothing however, when be
received note written in bold, scraggy
hand. saying:
Pardner: Et's too good to keep, so I'll tell ct tc
you When you play with Gringo take off tt al
ar green coat and silver buttons. l seen every
hand you held rite in one of those buttons, like
lookin inter lookin' glass. Much 'bliged fol
the cash. all the same. Yours TIL deth.
ROWERS